Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra Brings Fall Concert to Gorham Middle School Auditorium

The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Lehmann will perform their fall concert at the Gorham Middle School Audititorium at 106 Weeks Road in Gorham. The program will include:

• Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3
• William Bolcom's Commedia for 'almost' 18th century orchestra
• Wagner's Siegfried Idyll
• Symphony No. 9 by Shostakovich.

Conducting associate Ben David Richmond will share the podium. The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra is a full-sized symphony orchestra comprised of USM students and talented members of the community. The orchestra performs challenging, professional level repertoire from all periods. Recently performed pieces include: Beethoven 9th Symphony, Mahler's Third Symphony, Mozart's Requiem, Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, Strauss Duet Concertino with choreography from the Portland Ballet, and fully staged opera productions. The orchestra sponsors a biennial concerto competition and frequently collaborates with choirs on large scale choral works. In addition, professional soloists of the highest caliber are often engaged to perform with the orchestra.

Robert Lehmann is Professor of Music and Director of Strings and Orchestral Activities at the University of Southern Maine School of Music where he conducts the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his duties at USM, he is Music Director of the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, and the White Mountain Bach Festival in New Hampshire. He holds degrees in Violin Performance from the University of the Pacific, the Eastman School and Boston University and has been a fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Festival and at the Conductors Institute at Bard College. Dr. Lehmann has concertized as violinist and conductor, in his native Mexico, throughout the US, Puerto Rico and in Europe and Ukraine. He has been of frequent guest conductor with the Portland Symphony and has conducted All-State and Festival Orchestras from Maine to California and Hawaii. Upcoming engagements include the Portland Ballet's Victorian Nutcracker next month, and the Greensboro (NC) Symphony early next year.

Hailing from Chicago, Ben David Richmond moved to Maine this past August to pursue a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting degree from the University of Southern Maine. Previously, he has worked as conductor for the InVoice Recording Ensemble and has been DJ in residence at multiple clubs and ballrooms. As a composer he has written three ballets, three symphonies, and many other works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and unaccompanied solo. This is Ben's first concert with SMSO!

Tickets are $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors, USM alumni, and students. Purchase tickets online at the USM Music Box Office, by calling 207-780-5555, or at the door. Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Lori Arsenault, (207) 780-5142, loria@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207) 780-5646.

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